Nearby Words

ostracize

[os-truh-sahyz] Origin

os·tra·cize

[os-truh-sahyz]
verb (used with object), -cized, -ciz·ing.
1.
to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.: His friends ostracized him after his father's arrest.
2.
to banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate.
3.
(in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.
Also, especially British, os·tra·cise.


Origin:
1640–50; < Greek ostrakízein, equivalent to óstrak(on) potsherd, tile, ballot (akin to óstreion oyster, shell) + -izein -ize

os·tra·ciz·a·ble, adjective
os·tra·ci·za·tion, noun
os·tra·ciz·er, noun


1. shun, snub, blacklist.


1. accept.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Ostracize is a GRE word you need to know.
So is impede. Does it mean:
retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances
crudely, presumptuously, or noisily self-assertive
Collins
World English Dictionary
ostracize or ostracise (ˈɒstrəˌsaɪz)
 
vb
1.  to exclude or banish (a person) from a particular group, society, etc
2.  (in ancient Greece) to punish by temporary exile
 
[C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon]
 
ostracise or ostracise
 
vb
 
[C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon]
 
'ostracism or ostracise
 
n
 
'ostracizable or ostracise
 
adj
 
'ostracisable or ostracise
 
adj
 
'ostracizer or ostracise
 
n
 
'ostraciser or ostracise
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Main Entry:  ostracize
Part of Speech:  v
Definition:  to banish or expel; abolish
Etymology:  Greek ostrakizein 'to banish by voting with potsherds'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

ostracize
1640s, from Gk. ostrakizein (see ostracism). Related: Ostracization; ostracizing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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